Evans family recognised for 100 years of living on the land

Kate Armstrong, Michael Evans, Jane Evans, Paul Evans, Scott Evans and Chloe Fliedner at the Australian Century Farm and Station Awards in Canberra. ▪ Contributed

The Evans family from Tambua Station were recently presented with an Australian Century Farm and Station bronze plaque to commemorate 100 years on the land.

The award was presented in Canberra last week at a ceremony at Parliament House.

Six families were presented with the plaques, to symbolise their perseverance and ability to keep farming in the face of constant change.

The awards also recognise the hard work and desire to continue what was 100 years ago, a dream, then a reality and now family tradition.

The Evans family celebrated 100 years and five generations on the land last year with a big party at Tambua.

Fifth generation farmer Michael Evans explained the property was originally bought in 1914 by George Knight, who lived and worked the land with his wife and their 17 children.

“In 1932 George’s second youngest daughter married a Tambua Station jackaroo by the name of Thomas Hilton Evans. The pair was given as a wedding present the deeds to Tambua station, a shovel and 100 pounds.”

They had a son Ken followed closely by twin daughters Anne and Norma.

“Times were tough and the family lived on rabbits during the depression and had wool cheques of just a few pounds,” Michael said.

“Ken stayed on Tambua after his schooling and in 1955 married Ann Reynolds and in 1956 their only son Paul was born.”

The 1960’s bought drought cutting scrub for cattle for five years and four years for sheep.

In Tambua’s history 1973 was the wettest year recording 33 inches of rain.

“In 1974 we purchased the neighbouring Mulga Downs Station, another Knight family holding, taking the total holding to 101,000 acres. With rain came feed and with good seasons and feed brings bushfires,” Michael said.

“In January and February 1975 we got burnt out, losing nearly 98,000acres in 36 hours.

“In 1976 with the purchase of 50 stud ewes and one ram from Eudora Stud Nyngan we started Tambua Poll Merino Stud, a very successful stud we still continue today.”

Paul stayed on Tambua and married next door neighbour Jane Green. They had two sons, Michael and Scott.

The early 80’s bought drought and 1982 was their driest year with just 370 points of rain recorded. They purchased Bundoon Belah Station from the Middleton family, taking their total holding to 156,000 acres.

By the end of the 80’s hard work had turned to success. In 1989 they held the record for the highest price Poll Merino ram, paying $28 000 for a Poll ram.

1990 was their most productive year with 22,000 sheep shorn, 585 bales pressed and a wool cheque worth nearly a million dollars.

In 2000, they started Tambua Park Brahman Stud and in 2013 they took their Poll Merino stud to a new level on the show circuit where they have won many ribbons and accolades.

“We will continue to produce quality fine wool and quality Brahman cattle because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you breed, farm or grow, a quality product sells!” Michael said.

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